Five candidates have met the criteria needed to appear on stage for the third Republican 2024 presidential debate in Miami on Nov. 8, according to the Republican National Committee (RNC).
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, businessman and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) have all qualified for the latest debate and will take to the stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.
All five of the GOP 2024 presidential candidates made the cut after polling at least 4 percent in two national polls or 4 percent in a national poll as well as two polls from four of the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina.
The Republican White House hopefuls also needed to receive a minimum of 70,000 unique donors, with at least 200 of those coming from 20 states or territories.
Additionally, the candidates had to sign a number of RNC pledges, including promising to support the party’s eventual nominee.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum failed to qualify for Wednesday’s GOP presidential debate and won’t appear on stage, according to the RNC, nor will former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who qualified for and participated in the first debate but did not make the stage for the second one in Southern California.
Former Vice President Mike Pence dropped out of the race in October.
Elsewhere, former President Donald Trump, who did not appear at the first two debates, surpassed the donor and polling requirements with ease, according to an analysis by NBC News.
Trump to Skip Debate
Despite fulfilling the polling and donor criteria and being the clear frontrunner in the GOP primary, President Trump in August said that he would “not be doing the debates,” citing the general public’s approval of him.
He has also refused to sign a pledge to support another potential Republican nominee.
During the first GOP presidential debate, President Trump opted instead to attend a sit-down interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
At the most recent debate in September, the former president visited Detroit where the United Auto Workers union launched an unprecedented labor strike against the three biggest automakers—General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis—after failing to reach an agreement over new contracts and increased pay.
This week, President Trump will be holding a rally on the evening of Nov. 8 at a stadium in Hialeah, Florida, which is roughly a half-hour drive from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, according to his campaign. During that rally, President Trump will be attempting to drum up support among Hispanic voters in the overwhelmingly Hispanic suburb.
“We are looking forward to our third debate in Miami, a welcome opportunity for our candidates to showcase our winning conservative agenda to the American people,” said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in Monday’s statement announcing the candidates.
“We are especially honored to be the first political party to partner with a Jewish organization for a debate in our partnership with the Republican Jewish Coalition, and our candidates will reaffirm the Republican Party’s unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish community on the stage Wednesday night.”
The next Republican Primary Debate will air at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on NBC News and will be live-streamed on the streaming site Rumble. The RNC also selected Salem Radio Network and the Republican Jewish Coalition as partners for the debate.
A fourth Republican debate has already been scheduled for next month and will take place on Dec. 6 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, according to the RNC, although the polling and donor thresholds for that debate will be higher.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
